Recruitment and Selection of
District Judges

Recruitment
Process

The selection of
district judges is identical to the selection of Supreme Court Justices and
Court of Appeals Judges. When there is a vacancy in an office, the Idaho
Judicial Council advertises the existence of the vacancy to all attorneys
licensed to practice law in the state of Idaho and solicits applications for
the position.

Selection Process

After the
applications are received, a survey form is circulated to all members of the
bar soliciting their opinions about the applicants. Notice is also given to the
general public inviting them to comment on the applications as well. The
results of the survey are compiled and are used by the members of the Judicial
Council when they interview the candidates. At the conclusion of the interview
process, the Judicial Council submits to the governor the names of not less
than two nor more than four qualified persons. The governor then appoints the
justice or judge to fill the remainder of the elected term.

Thereafter, the
justices, appellate court judges, and district judges stand for popular
election on a non-partisan contested ballot. Justices and appellate court
judges run for election statewide and are elected for six-year terms. District
judges stand for election within their judicial district and are elected for
four-year terms. A qualified lawyer may challenge a sitting justice, appellate
court judge, or district judge at election time.